Electric

BGMU’s Electric Division

Today, BGMU has 500 Megawatts of system transformer capacity, serves almost 50,000 customers, and employs approximately 100 electric employees. Power is purchased from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and is distributed through more than 362 miles of electrical lines that run underground and on poles throughout the city.

BGMU strives to be a reliable source of power and has held the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® designation from the American Public Power Association since the program’s inception in 2005. The (RP3)® designation, which lasts three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. BGMU is one of 220 public power utilities nationwide that hold the (RP3)® designation and is one of only four Kentucky (RP3)® designees. Additionally, BGMU is one of 76 public power utilities at the highest (diamond) level.

It is not always practical to unplug each appliance; however, it is a good idea to unplug irons, toasters and other appliances that heat up or get used infrequently. Remember, don’t pull the wire; grip the plug when unplugging.

Our crews work around the clock until all customers have power. The following is a general outline for locating and repairing outages:

Repairs are made at substations and on main distribution lines that transmit from substations.

Line crews repair damage to tap lines that branch off from main lines.

Power is restored to generalized areas and then to individual homes.

Critical locations such as hospitals, police and fire stations may receive advanced attention.

BGMU’s Water Treatment Plant can treat up to 30 million gallons of water per day, and our Wastewater Treatment Plant can treat up to 12 million gallons of wastewater per day.

Water

In BGMU’s service territory, there are four water pressure zones that are regulated by five system water tanks. There are 5,410 manholes, 5,858 system valves, and 59 sewer pump stations throughout our system. The largest water pipe size in our system is 60 inches, and the largest wastewater pipe size is 48 inches.

Water

BGMU now offers 1 Gigabit services to commercial customers.

Fiber

BGMU’s record-high winter demand was 160.68 MW and was set in January, 2014. The record-high summer demand was set in August, 2007 at 209.44 MW.

Electric

BGMU maintains 2,378 fire hydrants. Water line crews manage 290 miles of water lines and 270 miles of sewer lines.